Semifinals: Carlos Fontes vs. Stephen Ruck

Carlos and Stephen are both playing Jund… but Stephen has the more Aggro version, armed with Falkenrath Aristocrat and Domri Rade. Which of these green-red-black decks can pull out the win?

Game 1

Carlos is playing a more traditional Jund list.

Carlos had the play and led off with Blood Crypt, while Stephen (who led with a mulligan before action began) led off with the same. Carlos had turn two Farseek (“that’s better than a Ground Seal”) to ramp and fix, and Stephen’s Jund Aggro deck wasn’t very aggro, as he could only pass turn two as well. Meanwhile, Carlos had turn three Olivia Voldaren to really turn up the heat. Stephen, alternatively, had only Forest.

Stephen cast Thundermaw Hellkite on his turn, but, “I don’t even know if I can attack here!” He could attack for nine… but then just lose the next turn on the swing back, so he just passed. Carlos drew slowly and didn’t windmill slam it onto the table. Carlos could only attack a little, but Stephen found his Bonfire of the Damned miracle off the top to clear off the 3/3s! With the board now empty, Carlos continued to draw poorly, casting Farseek. Stephen did not, as Thundermaw Hellkite came off the top to drop Carlos to 9.

This time, Carlos had to mulligan. Stephen had the turn one Avacyn’s Pilgrim, and when Carlos skipped his turn two Farseek (thanks to not having it) Stephen drew first blood with the Pilgrim. Bonfire for one knocked off the Pilgrim, and Stephen followed it up with Arbor Elf on his third turn. Not terribly aggressive again, but it paid off last time.

Huntmaster of the Fells set life totals at 21-17, but Falkenrath Aristocrat quickly brought the players level. Huntmaster and Wolf buddy attacked, and the Kessig Wolf Run not only added one more damage but threatened to flip… but Putrefy with the trigger on the stack prevented that. At 12 life apiece after attacks, Stephen passed. Farseek (a bit late) found land number six for Carlos before Wolf attacked Stephen down to 10.

Falkenrath Aristocrat number two for Stephen elicited Putrefy, which caused the targeted Vampire to become indestructible and Carlos fell to 4. Carlos dropped Thragtusk to go to 9, hoping to keep alive for another turn… but big mythic Dragon, Thundermaw Hellkite, came to play as well and Stephen took the match.